{"id":177725,"date":"2025-10-03T17:32:20","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T17:32:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/177725\/"},"modified":"2025-10-03T17:32:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T17:32:20","slug":"chatgpt-use-far-outstrips-midjourney-aj-survey-shows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/177725\/","title":{"rendered":"ChatGPT use far outstrips Midjourney, AJ survey shows"},"content":{"rendered":"

The growth in AI text tools<\/p>\n

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and, in particular, text-based generative AI continues to rise. Nearly two thirds (64 per cent) of those polled were using text-based tools on at least a weekly basis. In fact, the AJ\u2019s Changes in Practice survey, which was taken by almost 200 mainly UK-based architects and students, revealed that 40 per cent were using the large language models daily.<\/p>\n

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As one respondent said: \u2018I use ChatGPT regularly for simple text-based tasks \u2013 for bid documents, presentations, planning documents and building control\u00a0statements.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018These are all very common uses, and in no way innovative, but it does allow for a more efficient approach, saving time and reducing the need for a larger team.\u2019<\/p>\n

In comparison, just 26 per cent said they were using AI for image-based tasks or image generation on at least a weekly basis \u2013 and only 8 per cent relied on them on a daily basis. This contrasts with just 11 per cent of respondents in the 2024 survey who said they were using any sort of AI on a daily basis.<\/p>\n

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How, when and why do architects use AI?<\/p>\n

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The rise in AI as a text generator is reflected in which tools are most popular among AJ readers and the tasks most regularly performed. Chat GPT is now being used by 77 per cent of respondents while the use of Microsoft Copilot has doubled to 27 per cent from 13 per cent in 2024.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, compared with last year, the use of two text-to-image models has fallen markedly: Stable Diffusion dropped from 21 per cent to 8 per cent and Midjourney from 42 per cent to 22 per cent. \u00a0<\/p>\n

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In terms of when architects turn to AI, the survey shows a substantial proportion (39 per cent) used it at the request for proposals or bids stage \u2013 the same percentage as use it for concept design. Similarly, more architects are using AI for practice administration tasks (just over 40 per cent) than for early-stage feasibility work and competitions (33 per cent). AI\u2019s application in business applications looks set to grow too \u2013 38 per cent said they were \u2018exploring options\u2019 with AI in this area.<\/p>\n

AI is increasingly being used for both in-practice and client-facing purposes \u2013 not just for architects\u2019 own benefit. The percentage of those who said AI was being rolled out for \u2018internal and client facing\u2019 reasons rose from 48 per cent in 2024 to 60 per cent this year.<\/p>\n

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The barriers to using AI<\/p>\n

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Inaccuracy was the most commonly cited barrier to using AI in practice \u2013 55 per cent of respondents said it was blocking uptake, with many saying they had to thoroughly check any materials produced. This was followed by \u2018generic or unsatisfactory output\u2019 (47 per cent).<\/p>\n

A lack of knowledge or expertise (42 per cent) \u2013 the top blocker last year \u2013 was also a significant concern, as was the lack of time available to learn, uncertainty about the practical benefits, and carbon costs.<\/p>\n

Financial cost was cited as a barrier by 17 per cent of those polled. One respondent said: \u2018The costs of trialling the tools can be prohibitive to even testing.\u2019<\/p>\n

Yet 60 per cent of those polled said their practice didn\u2019t have a formal budget approved for AI spending (rising to 69 per cent in practices employing fewer than 10 people).<\/p>\n

In terms of whether practices themselves are stopping staff from exploring generative tools, 47 per cent said they were unaware of any restrictions on their AI use. This suggests firms are becoming more open to experimentation \u2013 the figure in 2024 was 32 per cent. Only 2 per cent said they had been banned from using AI.<\/p>\n

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Future uses in practice and higher education
\n\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

Planning ahead, many architects are looking at how AI can help assist with tasks such as budgeting, contract compliance and the automation of requests for proposals.<\/p>\n

Though there appears to be little strategic thinking, given the lack of investment promised for AI development, more than half (56 per cent) of respondents said they were planning to integrate AI more extensively into their general, daily workflow. This is up from 49 per cent in 2024.<\/p>\n

Most recognise too that these advances \u2013 and the uptake of text-based tools in particular \u2013 will influence how future architects are taught. Over three quarters (78 per cent) of those surveyed said that AI would have an impact on architects\u2019 education.<\/p>\n

Stephen Parnell, a former senior lecturer at Newcastle University and an AI consultant, said that AI \u2018was going to have an impact on every walk of life\u2019 and \u2018fundamentally change higher education\u2019.<\/p>\n

He told the AJ: \u2018Various surveys I\u2019ve seen suggest that up to 90 per cent of students regularly used generative AI last year, whereas only around 60 per cent of teachers had even tried it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018The essay as assessment is already as good as dead, and teachers will need to focus more on process and less on product. Perhaps architecture education doesn\u2019t really belong in university after all?\u2019<\/p>\n

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Opportunities, dangers and productivity impacts
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Respondents were split on whether they saw AI as a threat or a chance to move the profession forward. There was genuine concern about the loss or appropriation of their intellectual property. However, architects were generally more optimistic than gloomy about how AI could improve their prospects and in new, more productive ways. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Again, a notable difference appeared between how they viewed the benefits of language-based tools compared with generative visualisation applications.<\/p>\n

Asked what impact they thought text generation AI tools have on productivity, 72 per cent said AI would increase productivity. This dropped to 52 per cent for image generation.<\/p>\n

It was widely acknowledged that AI\u2019s unstoppable forward momentum would result in changes in how architects worked. Though a quarter (26 per cent) thought AI\u2019s emergence would lead to \u2018fundamental change to the practice of architecture\u2019 \u2013 rising to 35 per cent in practices under 10-strong \u2013 just over half (53 per cent) opted instead for the less eyebrow-raising \u2018there will be notable changes to several parts of architects\u2019 roles\u2019.<\/p>\n

One respondent said: \u2018It\u2019s no different to when CAD came in. People will be expected to be more productive, so in the short term the practices that take it up will have a commercial advantage. But once it becomes ubiquitous those that don\u2019t use it will fall by the wayside.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Comment: Keir Regan-Alexander, director, Arka Works<\/p>\n

\"\"The AJ\u2019s survey reveals a telling paradox: while a remarkable 64 per cent of architects use text-based AI weekly, 60 per cent of practices have no formal AI budget.<\/p>\n

This disconnect between massive grassroots adoption and a lack of institutional strategy explains what I call the \u2018washing machine of pain\u2019 \u2013 a cycle where teams get excited by AI\u2019s potential, frustrated by ad-hoc results, and then retreat to familiar methods.<\/p>\n

The survey data validates several key trends we\u2019re observing on the ground.<\/p>\n

The decline in Midjourney usage (from 42 per cent to 22 per cent) versus the growth in dominance of ChatGPT (77 per cent) shows a clear flight to utility.<\/p>\n

Text-based tools solve immediate, daily problems like drafting reports or analysing briefs, while image generation requires significant skill to move beyond generic results and integrate into professional workflows.<\/p>\n

Similarly, the finding that AI is used as much for requests for proposals and bids as for concept design highlights where real, tangible value is being found: in the back-office processes that form the bedrock of practice management. This organic adoption is happening in a governance vacuum, creating a \u2018shadow AI\u2019 economy where staff use personal or free tools to fill a strategic void. This isn\u2019t just a risk in terms of privacy and accuracy; it\u2019s the clearest possible signal of proven demand that leadership is failing to harness.<\/p>\n

The practices pulling ahead are not those with the most advanced software but those with a plan<\/p>\n

This brings us to the crucial point: the primary barrier to realising value from AI is not about procuring the right technology. The market is saturated with tools. The real challenge is one of behavioural change and the gradual, systematic adaptation of our existing workflows.<\/p>\n

The practices pulling ahead are not those with the most advanced software but those with a plan. They are methodically mapping opportunities to identify simple, high-impact, low-risk applications. They are building repeatable, quality-controlled prompt workflows that turn individual experimentation into reliable team assets. They are creating a culture of integrated change, where new capabilities are woven into the fabric of how they work.<\/p>\n

The survey shows that a grassroots AI revolution is already underway. The question for leadership is no longer whether AI will be used in practice, but whether its adoption will be strategic and value-driven or remain accidental and chaotic. The technology is no longer the bottleneck; our willingness to adapt our systems is.<\/p>\n

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Deltek \u2013 trusted partner to architecture firms globally \u2013 powers innovation through software design and its AI-powered business companion, Dela<\/a><\/p>\n

Learn more at deltek.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The growth in AI text tools The use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and, in particular, text-based generative…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":177726,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[554,733,4308,86,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-177725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-artificial-intelligence","tag-ai","tag-artificial-intelligence","tag-artificialintelligence","tag-technology","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=177725"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/177725\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/177726"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=177725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=177725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=177725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}